More than 270 people are sick with norovirus on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

01/11/2019

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Over 270 passengers and crew members became sick with norovirus on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week.

Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas' current trip through the islands of the Caribbean has been cut short by one day, and passengers will be refunded, according to reports.

An expedition to Jamaica was canceled because the country would not allow them off the ship.

Over 270 passengers and crew members became sick with norovirus on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week, USA Today-affiliated Florida Today reports. On the 9,000-passengervessel, at least 277 people have been affected, including guests and staff.

Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas' current trip through the Caribbean, which began on Sunday, has been cut short by a day, and passengers will be refunded, according to Florida Today.

"Oasis of the Seas will return to Port Canaveral a day early after an episode of gastrointestinal illness," Owen Torres, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean, told Yahoo Lifestyle .

Earlier on its trip, passengers could no disembark on an expedition to Jamaica, as officials would not allow passengers off the ship and into the country. But the virus seemingly first spread as early as Tuesday, per Yahoo Lifestyle.

"The simple fact is that if people washed their hands, there would be no norovirus," Bayley said.

In the meantime, Royal Caribbean is working to contain the current outbreak, Torres told Yahoo Lifestyle.

"We think the right thing to do is to get everyone home early rather than have guests worry about their health," Torres said. "Returning on Saturday also gives us more time to completely clean and sanitize the ship before her next sailing. Our guests sail with us to have great vacations, and we are sorry this cruise fell short."

A representative for Royal Caribbean didn't immediately return INSIDER's request for comment.